Former GM: Rangers' Josh Hamilton will land five-year, $115 million deal

4/7

John Bazemore/AP

Free agency: While pitching is going to be where the bulk of my free-agent dollars are earmarked, I’m maintaining contact with a couple of free agents. I’ll talk with Scott Boras about Michael Bourn, but I expect him to command the second-highest deal among position players on the market behind Hamilton

Putting a price on any free agent is never an easy task, but it's especially challenging when the free agent is Rangers OF Josh Hamilton. Though Hamilton is among the most talented players in the game, his struggles with injury and inconsistency (as well as a history of addiction) have made him an almost impossible player to pin down in terms of his value on the open market.

But ESPN's Jim Bowden, who spent 16 years as a general manager for the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, did his best to predict the deal Hamilton will get. Not surprisingly, Bowden expects Hamilton to sign the richest deal of any free agent this winter, pegging his potential contract at five years and $115 million, an average value of $23 million per season.

"His history of injuries, addiction and lapses on the field this year will prevent him from getting the type of contract length that players such as Joey Votto and Prince Fielders received," Bowden wrote. "Four years would be the most appropriate length, but someone will offer him five with a club option. In terms of AAV, I think he will land just north of Votto and south of Fielder."

Immediately after Hamilton on the list was pitcher Zack Greinke, another potential Rangers target, who Bowden expects to sign a six-year deal worth $117 million. Though the deal is worth $2 million more in total, Greinke would only be earning $19.5 million annually in Bowden's prediction, and Greinke is two and a half years younger than Hamilton.

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